If you're thought process of moving from your current network supplier to a new one, while keeping check of your iPhone, or you've picked one and only aweigh second-helping hand, you may find that the device is latched to your current carrier or network provider. While this could atomic number 4 a huge pain in the past, the good news is that information technology's usually much easier to unlock an iPhone these days.

You should be competent to get your network provider to unlock the iPhone for you; much for uncommitted. In fact, you might straight be healthy to do it yourself.

In this article we show how to unlock any iPhone model, either with an unlock code from the network itself (which is usually free and easy) or by using a third-party service like Doctor SIM.

Unlocking an iPhone will soon be a affair of the past, as Ofcom has announced that every providers will glucinium banned from locking devices to their network by the end of 2022. But obviously this won't necessarily affect all devices already in circulation. So, for now, you'll need to follow the stairs outlined in this article to get your iPhone unlocked.

We're focusing on unlocking an iPhone tied to a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Irelan carrier, but for those in the US, visit our sis website's clause on how to unlock an iPhone.

Should you be looking for for help on gaining access to information on a gimmick in the sad event of its owner dying, you can show how to unlock an iPhone, iPad or Mac when its owner passes away.

Is iPhone unlocking legal?

It's completely legal to unlock your iPhone if you've finished paying for your contract Oregon you purchased it outright, unsubsidised. However, if you're relieve in the process of gainful for your contract you don't fully own the iPhone yet, so you're topper to match with your attack aircraft carrier before unlocking it.

How to unlock an iPhone: iPhone 13 mini

Is my iPhone locked?

Usually, if your iPhone is locked you'll see a message saying something like 'SIM Not Supported' when you sample to set risen the device. For more information hither's how to recite if your iPhone is locked.

The reason for the device being locked is to the highest degree likely if you bought it second-hand or inherited it from a friend or mob member. The previous owner whitethorn have bought the iPhone as percentage of a contract, and it's been standardized practice for years that the network provider uses software restrictions to donjon the twist fastened to its service of process for the duration of the contract.

How to unlock your iPhone

In that respect are iv simple steps to take to unlock an iPhone:

  1. Contact your supplier and request an unlock using the contact details and online tools listed below.
  2. If you haven't got the original SIM, you'll need to reset the call before it can be unlocked.
  3. Great power down the phone, then supplant the old SIM card with a SIM from a different network.
  4. Check that the iPhone is able to tie in a phone call over the new network.

That's the sawn-off translation, but let's go through those steps in a bit to a greater extent detail.

Contact your net provider

Below we will outline separately how to get your iPhone unfastened from each of the UK's most popular networks. Curl down to your carrier to find out that party's specialized process.

How to unlock an iPhone on EE

EE states that IT leave mechanically unlock 'an iPad or iPhone - 18 months later it was sold (or after it was sent, if it was a permutation)'. So if you know the purchase date, and then you might find that the gimmick will unlock itself very soon. Should this not be the case, then you can still request EE to unlock the device.

If you've had your EE calculate for at least sestet months and give birth gainful all of your bills to date, EE will unlock your iPhone for you. It'll be £8.99 if you're still within the contract, though, and takes around 72 hours. If your contract has reached it's end, then EE leave unlock the iPhone for free.

If you'atomic number 75 a Pay As You Go customer and bear enough credit to give the £8.99 admin fee, Electrical engineering will unlock your iPhone for you.

If you've bought the iPhone second-hand, say from eBay, then EE will unlock it for you at a cost of £8.99. IT does stipulate, 'American Samoa long every bit the second-hand device is more than six months senile and has non been reported lost or stolen then we can unlock it'

The process is quite straightforward. Altogether you need to act is call 0800 956 6000 then select options 2 followed past 4. You'll equal required to undergo a surety test (to prevent anyone stealing your iPhone and unlocking IT) later on which you'll personify given the unlocking instructions.

You'll find all the information you take on EE's How do I unlock an EE device to use with some other mesh? foliate.

How to unlock an iPhone on Vodafone

Vodafone states on its site that all Malus pumila products issued by the company are already unlocked.

Should you rule this isn't the subject, so you'll need to get a Network Unlock Write in code from Vodafone. Before attempting this, be aware that the society states, 'Unfortunately, if you bought your phone from a different provider or e.g. Carphone Storage warehouse, we buns't unlock it. You will have to get hold of them at once.'

And then IT could be that the device is bolted by the other provider rather than Vodafone.

If you're thinking of handing on your iPhone to someone other, and are worried that information technology might be locked to your Vodafone account, you tail end use Vodafone's online unlocking form to complete the process. The company claims it usually manages to unlock your device within 72 hours, but that in some cases it whitethorn beryllium up to 10 days depending on the circumstances. The process is out-of-school.

How to unlock an iPhone on Three

Threesome keeps things nice and ensiform. On its website, the carrier states that any iPhone purchased later 1 Jan 2022 from Three is automatically unlocked as soon as you connect IT to Wi-Fi or iTunes/the Finder (depending on the reading of macOS you are using).

But straight-grained if you purchased your iPhone in front that, you simply need to connect the iPhone to iTunes/the Finder and restore the device to unlock it. You'll want to choke off first of all, though, arsenic restoring will wipe all the information.

Or els, you can fill out Three's online form.

How to unlock an iPhone: Three

How to unlock an iPhone on O2

If you operating room the original owner purchased your iPhone from O2 after 1 August 2022, IT's likely to embody unlocked already.

Should you find you still can't use other SIM with it, then (if you are an existing O2 customer) you can follow these steps:

Log up in to My O2 connected your browser. Select 'Sir Thomas More' in the card bar at the top of the page, followed past 'Unlock your device'. Today follow the instructions to set out your iPhone unbolted.

Alternatively there's the Live Chat lineament on the O2 place, although you'll need to have your IMEI ready (here's how to find it).

The whole process is explained clearly happening the Unlocking an O2 mobile for use on a different network Page of the caller website.

The company says it will send a text to let you know when the iPhone is unlocked. You just need to pappa the new SIM card in then and information technology should show as unlocked. If not, you'll need to connect the device to iTunes/the Finder with the non-O2 SIM, and iTunes will confirm the unlocking.

How to unlock an iPhone on Chaste Mobile

Virgin says any iPhone purchased from the company will be unlatched already, only whatever older iPhones models might not. These are iPhone 4 and earlier though, so there's a very great change your handset is unlocked.

If you are connected an iPhone 4, and why not information technology's still a great gimmick, then you should hush up be able to perform a full restore of the device to unlock information technology. Just be sure to back heavenward your data for the first time so nothing gets lost.

You can read more about how to do the former in our how to factory reset an iPhone and iPad guide.

How to unlock an iPhone on Tesco Mobile

If you've been with Tesco Mobile for 12 months surgery more, or if you've completed your compress, you'll be able to get an unlock code from Tesco for free by using the online form.

How to unlock an iPhone happening Giffgaff

Giffgaff has a handy tool that helps you anatomy impermissible how to absolve your Orchard apple tree iPhone from another its have and other networks. It has the rattling name of Unlockapedia and is easily valuable exploring.

Exploitation a third-party unlocking service

An alternative to contacting your carrier and interrogatory them to unlock the iPhone is to use a transplantable phone unlocking service.

Retailers in most areas volition coiffe an unlock code for a small tip (usually around £25).

You can also find online services that will unlock your iPhone, but they aren't always respected and we would generally advise against it. If you do decide to use one, please make sure you read all the fine print before you buy, because they can surprise you with extra bills at the end of the process.

We've tried Doctor SIM, which promises to refund you if the unlock is unsuccessful, so that could be an option if you've tried every of the methods listed preceding. Mend SIM successfully unlocked our phone with no problems and no out of sight fees, sol we feel for self-confident in recommending them.

How much should I pay back?

Ideally you shouldn't pay anything to unlock your iPhone, because your immune carrier should unlock it for you for free. Simply or s carriers are still scope admin charges, indeed you might prefer looking at third-party options. These seem to charge betwixt £10 and £25, and we wouldn't pay Thomas More than that. Shop about if anybody quotes you a higher price.

How to tell if the unlock worked

One time your phone has been unlocked you'll encounter a confirmation from the carrier. Now follow these steps:

  1. Power down the phone: obtain down the power button (operating theatre the power clitoris and volume down, if it's a Face ID equipped iPhone) and swipe your finger across equally directed.
  2. Use the SIM card tool (operating room a straightened paper clip, but sooner the proper tool) to exclude the SIM card bearer from the side of the phone.
  3. Withdraw the gray SIM carte from the poster holder. Place your new SIM - from a different network - into the card holder.
  4. Reinsert the SIM tease holder into the iPhone.
  5. Make a phone call, and deterrent that the iPhone is able to connect over the new network. If so, it's unlocked!

Insert SIM

How to update an unbarred phone without the SIM board

If you've requested an unlock from your carrier, but have non got the novel SIM wit, Beaver State if you induce acquired a latched iPhone from someone else, you may need to reset the phone in front it will be unlocked. Follow these steps to reset the iPhone:

  1. Back up your iPhone to iCloud or via iTunes/the Finder.
  2. Erase your iPhone. Click connected Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. Terminated the setup assistant and restitute from your support.

The earpiece should now cost unlocked.

When you turn the iPhone back happening, complete the apparatus assistant and restore information technology from the championship you created. Then you can insert the new SIM card and it should nowadays piece of work.

And there we have it! Your iPhone should equal unlocked and disembarrass for use on any network. If you're curious in repeating the process for your lozenge, we've got a separate guide for those who wish to unlock an iPad.

If you'rhenium thinking of moving your old iPhone connected to someone else, you should also read how and where to sell your old iPhone for the best price for some tips happening resetting it and getting the best grapple.